First Online: 11 December 2013Received: 05 August 2013Accepted: 03 December 2013

Abstract

IntroductionThe main problems of autogenous bone transplants are their unpredictable atrophy and their loss of structure. One key factor lies in the poor revascularization of simple onlay grafts. The the aim of this study was to evaluate the revascularization processes in autogenous bone grafts from the iliac crest to the alveolar ridge.

MethodsIn a sheep model, autogenous bone grafts were harvested from the iliac crest. A combination of a resorbable collagen membrane CM and deproteinized bovine bone material DBBM was used to modify the bone graft experiment 2. This was compared with a simple onlay bone graft control group, experiment 1. The amount of vessels in bone and connective tissue CT, and the amount of CT were analyzed. The expression of von Willebrand factor vWF was compared between the two experimental groups using immunohistochemical analysis.

ResultsThe ratio of the amount of vessels in bone and CT changed over time, and more vessels could be detected in bone at 12–16 weeks of graft healing. The number of vessels were significantly higher in experiment 2 than in experiment 1. More CT was found in experiment 1, whereas the amount of CT in both experiments decreased over time.

ConclusionThis study shows a more intensive and extensive revascularization in experiment 2, as significantly more vessels were detected. The decreased amount of CT in experiment 2 clarifies its clinical superiority.